番茄红素抗活性氧作用机制

Lycopene, a water-insoluble carotenoid pigment, has been associated with the health benefits by virtue of its strong antioxidant activity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) as second messengers have important roles in in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis as regulatory mediators in signaling processes. Normally, ROS levels are controlled by an antioxidant system. However during times of environment stress (e.g., UV, heat exposure, drug), ROS levels increasing dramatically can result in oxidative damage and oxidative stress, and often induce irreversible functional alterations or even destruction. Evidence is accumulating to suggest that lycopene can not only scavenge ROS directly, but also may act as a modulator of redox signaling and DNA repair. In this review, we report the available evidence on a role of lycopene as a redox agent against ROS, especially on lycopene modulation of redox-sensitive targets, enzyme, transcription factors.